Luvmesomeme

Can you accompany a minor on an excursion without participating in all of it? My daughter and I are going on a cruise for her 16th birthday. I'm just going to say that I am a midlife mommy. My others are 36, 29 and 26 and this was the one who snuck up on us to keep us young. She has picked out the excursions that she wants to go on and frankly I am frightened. I want her to have fun but I really do not want to do this excursion:

Learn about the history and culture of this region of the Dominican Republic on route to our private secluded cove where you will be able to navigate your way through the adrenaline filled course of swinging logs, rope bridges, climbing nets, and zip lines.

After soaring across Coconut Cove Bay at speeds up to 18 miles per hour on the ‘Flying Fish’ zip line, enjoy a delicious Dominican buffet and time to swim in the ocean or relax on the beach.

If those of us who were booked on a ctn in January heard it from NCL instead of online. I have yet to hear from them or see a posting on their site.

Sorry I didn't respond to your post earlier. If I had subscribed I would have been notified of your posts :o. I am very happy that it helped give you a preview and perspective about the cabin. I really loved it.

Has anyone noticed a difference? I just got off a cruise (will keep it nameless) this week and must say that I had the worst experience with the wait staff. I have been cruising for many years (2 times per year) and always found it enjoyable. I have always enjoyed getting to know the waitstaff, where they were from and excellent conversation. My sister and her family (first time cruisers) were shocked. This time not a smile, not a greeting, they would just walk right up and ask if I was ready to order. When my sister had a question about a item on the menu, the waitress was clearly impatient and annoyed and spoke very harshly to her as if she was bothered to answer the question. My husband and I looked at eachother in shock. While talking to my sister about the attitude, the waitress must have over heard because she then served lunch to everyone at my table except me. Another waiter brought my meal & dessert. In another restaurant I noticed the same rude behavior, no greetings, no smile just "are you ready to order". After much thought (didn't want anyone in trouble or fired) I did finally decide to call the restaurant manager from my stateroom who was very apologetic, told me he would address the issue and offered us a bottle of wine for that evening. To say the least, our dinner that evening was perfect. The manager came to my table and apologized again, told me that he had addressed the issues and appreciated me informing him. I know that the staff works hard and sometimes is over worked but wow... Really made me rethink a cruise I have booked for January.

Anyone can book on any ship that they want to so give her the info and let her know that you want to go solo. She probably won't book by herself.

I go on a weekend cruise with my best girlfriend every year for my birthday. This year I realize that our dynamics as well as our life situations have changed. Next year I want to travel solo as this year I felt like I did not enjoy myself as much as I would have like to. She is now a widow and I have spent more time with her because of this and need a little space. I feel like I have become the substitute husband and she wants me to go everywhere with her. I booked a studio and have not said anything at all. I am always the planner so it will be a while before she even thinks about it. I am not sure how I will break it to her when the time comes but I booked and am very excited about going solo.

I am not new to cruising but I am new to room videos and tours. I did my first and realize that there is definately room for improvement. I struggled with whether I should post it but then decided that people wanted to see the room more than they wanted to critique my inexperience (I hope that is true):o. I don't have time for a re view but will try to answer questions if you have any. So here it is Catagory BA Catagory 14816:

What time does the Breakaway leave today? I like to watch the webcam and dream~~I will be on her in October again to Bermuda!

I just got off today. Loved it. Here is a link to my Balcony room tour in case you want to see what it looks like. Please extend me some grace because I never did this before. I will get better.

My 9 day cruise has dropped by about $1000, and it would now include the UDP and the UBP - BUT it still isn't as good a deal as the one I got 9+ months out and during a Kids Sail Free promotion.

 

Firstly, in the time since the price crept up by about $4000 (with various perks). Secondly, I am sailing with four kids. That adds up!!

 

Maybe the price will fall more between now and sailing; but I needed the security of a firm date and I wanted to pick my cabin AND I got a great deal and a ton of Latitude Points.

 

Different strategies work differently for different passengers.

 

If it goes down super low, and it turns out I paid more than someone in the next cabin... I still get all of the things I wanted and at a great price. I'm still going to be a happy passenger on a great cruise.

I also booked during the Kids sale free. My sister called me on Monday and told me that the rates went down and she had her rates adjusted. I called and was told that if they made the adjustment I would have to pay for the third person so it would be to my advantage to keep the promotion I have. I informed her that my sister kept her third party free promotion and also had the first two people rate adjusted. She spoke with a supervisor and mafe the adjustment. Yay me.

This is why I like booking directly with NCL. There is no "middleman" or extra step to take to make these sorts of adjustments. Also, I've never found a TA that ended up costing me less than booking directly WITH a PCC.

 

I'm not advertising for NCL, just telling of my experience.

I second that!

I noticed this when I asked for an adjustment this week. On the confirmation the date that my deposit was given is correct. If ever a problem came up I could point this out as well as the date that my card was charged so I'm not going to worry about it.

My family and my sister's family are traveling together in separate cabins next door to eachother. We booked during the promotion where the 3rd person is free. We each have a daughter who is the 3rd person sailing free. She called to make her payment today and was told that the fare went down. She was given an adjustment. She immediately called me and told me about it. I called NCL and was told that if I took the lower rate that I would lose the free person promo and that it would be better to keep my current rate. I informed them that my sister was able to keep her 3rd person promo and also get the lower rate. She put me on hold to speak with a supervisor and they made the change for me for a savings of $216 :D.

_____

5 days for the Breakaway (annual pre-birthday and ladies weekend) and 84 days for the Gem (family & friends vacation).

Going on the Breakaway on Friday. I have verizon Fios and it is 9PM on channel 634 here in NJ.

There will be a TV program about building the NCL Breakway on Sunday, January 11, 2015 on the Smithsonian Channel (Mighty Ships) ...

 

Also going on the 1/16 CTN with my sister/BFF. Just set my DVR.

I think your friend is confused and is thinking of the daily service charge (DSC) of $12 per person, per night (which I hope you will not remove from your final bill)

Never would I do such a thing. I always pre-pay!

The BEST thing that you could have done would have been to ask your friend to provide some sort of proof to back up their claim.

 

They are the one that stated that this is how things work...let them back it up. You should not be stuck searching CC and NCL and posting to message boards to verify the claims your friend makes. Let them provide the proof.

 

 

Or admit that it's utter nonsense.

I agree. This is her first cruise and she has been calling NCL having questions answered and searching CC because she is so excited. I believe she told me that a representative told her this. I told her that I never heard of such a thing but then again I don't know it all and changes do happen.

Ridiculous. The cabin steward can do it for you quickly. Just ask.

I have done it numerous times. Sometimes I cruise with friend and somwtimes with my husband. Wonder where she got this from. I would not have ben happy if this was true.

Utter nonsense!

LOL...I was hoping it was not true.

I have been on many cruises on many different cruiselines. I have stayed in inside cabins and suites. Recently a friend informed me that there is a charge per day and per person if you want your beds reconfigured from twins to queen or vice versa. I searched CC and NCL to see if I could find info on this and have not been able to. I have never paid for this before.

"Sorry Sir. The ship is overbooked. We'll put you on the next sailing in two weeks.":eek:

I do believe that the ships do overbook. A few years ago my husband and i booked a cruise a year in advance to celebrate our anniversary on another line. Within a week of our cruise we started getting calls asking us to switch to another sailing and offered us onboard credit, discounted pricing and other incentives. The calls were coming in daily even though I asked not to be contacted. It was just like being at the airport when they make the announcement asking people to give up their seats. This is one reason why I will never travel without a confirmed cabin number or fly without a confirmed seat number. It may not be a fact but I'm afraid that those are the people who may not be able to travel in over sold situations.

As far as insurance, I have gone both ways depending on the cost and length of the cruise. Expensive cruises warrant insurance. Weekend getaways, I usually risk.

Thank You Nicoleinwi & Ginny. I have never booked a private excursion but was considering it and just wondered what the process was like.

Thank you Bob.

When you pre-arrange private tours do you prepay? If so, what happens if that port stop is cancelled for some reason? Has anyone had a problem with a refund?

I have done this several times and the best way for me was to go ahead and book what I want. I give them the information and tell them to call and ask to be placed in the vicinity of my room. If they book that is good but if they don't I am happy that I have what I want. I even lost money one time when I put down a deposit for someone and they decided not to go. I lost my money for their deposit and they never reimbursed me for the deposit. A lesson learned. I am traveling with a few girlfriends for my 50th birthday in a few weeks and I did not concern myself with anyone other than my room mate and my daughter. I gave the rest the information and they did their own reservations. We have 3 rooms next to each other and the last room is further down the hall because they waited so long that their was nothing left in the immediate area. The one benefit that they had was because they waited until after final payment to book they paid less.

Just hang out at Guest Relations and a show will happen at least four times an hour!

LOL...I never would have thought of this location myself but I just might do that if I get bored. I wonder if there are any chairs nearby :D.